November 13, 2024
The Somerset County Library System (SCLS) announced an "Important Update" on October 10 stating: "Effective October 9, our Mary Jacobs branch is temporarily closed out of caution concerning a health-related building issue. "At this time, we do not have a schedule for reopening. More information to follow once available." Further investigation by The Montgomery News revealed the issue is "mold."
Happier days at the Mary Jacobs Library in Rocky Hill. The library was significantly downsized, and is now closed ahead of schedule because of mold, says the county.
An email from SCLS Director Brian Auger to Rocky Hill Mayor Robert Uhrik, also dated October 10, stated that: The decision to close the library "was made out of concern for the safety of staff and customers, and was reached after consultation with our risk managers and attorney —and was fully support by the [MJF] foundation." "After a staffer had reported respiratory issues, we secured testing by a certified lab,"
Auger stated in the communication. "Ambient levels of mold spores" were present throughout the library building, which would "require extensive remediation before the building could safely be occupied, Auger wrote. "The next steps are up to the [MJF] foundation," Auger concluded.
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Cary Dawson, president of the MJF foundation that owns the library building, responded that "Auger made us aware of the circumstances and shared lab reports with us. We immediately responded that we recommended that SCLS close the facility and alert the staff and the public pending resolution of the issue. We have been in contact with SCLS and have a meeting scheduled for next week with key stakeholders to understand next steps and move forward on a plan of action."
November marks the 50th anniversary of the Mary Jacobs Memorial Library, which opened in Rocky Hill in November 1974 as a gift from Harold Jacobs in memory of his wife. It served the municipalities of Rocky Hill and Montgomery for most of those years—until a new Montgomery Library was built a couple of miles away.
On September 23, Auger announced the county library system would stop its portion of funding for services at the Mary Jacobs Library effective Feb. 15. A lawsuit is ongoing regarding the future of the building and its $3.5 M endowment.
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